A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

While there are many obvious signs of history throughout New York City, Williams calls special attention to the smaller traces that most people tend not to notice unless they’re specifically looking for it. The novel’s dual time frames work in tandem to juxtapose modern Harlem with Old Harlem of the 1920s, which highlights the ways in which the past persists, though obscured by the newer developments of the region. In the present, Ricki admires the Italianate brownstones of Harlem, originally built during the period of the Harlem Renaissance: Her shop “was a beautifully restored antique, framed by leafy vines and vibrant wildflowers. To Ricki, a lifelong lover of bygone eras, the entire building felt like a gift delivered through time. Magical” (24). Because Ricki is attuned to the history of Striver’s Row—the nickname for the wealthy portion of Harlem settled in the early part of the 20th century by well-to-do Black professionals—she actively searches for traces of it, finding the lingering facets of its history beneath the modern additions. Due to gentrification, the area is now home to mainly chic upper-middle-class white families. However, Ricki highlights its rich Black history in a public way by laying bouquets at Old Harlem historical sites and posting photos of them on Instagram, which encourages others to learn about the history and culture—specifically Black history and culture—that saturates the district.